System for dispensing fluids



Dec. 27, 194% MAPES SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Filed Dec. 21, 1945 v IN V EN TOR. 04/7/ 6/ M W TM Patented Dec. 27, 1949 SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS Daniel Mapcs, West Caldwell, N. J., assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Bloomfield, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey 7 Application December 21, 1945, Serial No. 636,351

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to high pressure fluid medium dispensing systems, and more particularly to systems forstoring and releasing a high pressure fluid medium adapted to be utilized for fire extinguishing and various other purposes.

Heretofore, fire extinguishing systems have been utilized which comprise a plurality of receptacles or containers for storing a high pressure fluid medium, such as liquefied carbon dioxide; a common manifold into which the contents of all the containers are adapted to be discharged; a discharge control means for each of the containers, including a valve member for retaining the medium in the container, a discharge outlet connected to the manifold, and fluid pressure actuated means for operating the valve member to release the medium; a fluid pressure connection between one or more containers and their respective fluid pressure actuated operating means, including a control valve; and pipes or conduits providing a fluid flow connection between the fluid pressure actuated operating means or the control valves of all of the discharge control means.

The present invention aims to improve such systems by providing a practical system wherein a single pipe or conduit serves both as a common discharge manifold and as a fluid flow connection between the fluid actuated operating means of all of the discharge control means.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved system of the foregoing character which is simple and economical in construction, is readily assembled and is positive in operation.

Another object is to provide a single pipe system wherein the number of fluid flow connections is greatly reduced.

Another object is to eliminate the necessity of more than one common connection for the containers of the system.

Another object is to provide an improved system which lends itself to greater flexibility in the selection and arrangement of control containers adapted to be operated to effect discharge of 2 one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of the specification, wherein the single figure is a schematic view of a fluid medium storing and dispensing system illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a system of the type adapted for storing and dispensing a fire extinguishing medium under pressure, such as carbon dioxide or the like. Generally described, the system comprises a bank of one or more primary or control receptacles or containers I0, and one or more secondary receptacles or containers l I, the containers illustrated herein being high pressure cylinders or the like. While two containers l0 and two containers H are shown by way of example, it will be understood'that a system in accordance with the invention may comprise any number of containers l0 and H, and preferably, a greater number of secondary cylinders ll than primary or control cylinders Ill.

Eachof the containers l0 and II has connected thereto a fluid medium actuated fluid medium release control means l2 comprising retaining means, such as a main valve member l4, which controls the discharge of the fluid medium from the containers by way of an opening l5, surrounded by a valve seat 16 surrounding a main valve port, a chamber l1, and manifold means, including a conduit [8 connected to a common discharge pipe {9. The chamber l1 and conduit I8 are arranged to constitute means for conducting the fluid 'medium from the container to the pipe I 9.

The fluid medium actuated release control means l2 further comprise main valve operating means, such as a piston 20', reciprocally movable in a cylinder M, which is separated from the chamber IT by a partition or wall 22. The lower portion of the cylinder 2| has a vent 23, the purpose of which is to prevent the entrapment of of air. The piston 20 and the main valve member M are operatively connected by a piston rod 24, which passes through a gland (not shown) in an opening in the Wall 22.

Associated with the means for conducting fluid from the container to the manifold are means for preventing the escape of fluid from the manifold by way ofone of the fluid medium release control means l2, in the eventthat its container is de-.

tached or is pierced by gun fire or the like. These means are illustrated herein as a check valve member, such as an aperture disc 30, located in the chamber l l and overlying a seat surrounding the main valve opening l5. The piston rod extends through the aperture of the disc 3|], and is slidablv related therewith, to enahlethe d sc to be driven upwardly from its seat when discharge 'of fluid through the opening |'5 takes place.

The fluid medium release control means l2 .of"

the primary containers ID are further provided with a fluid flow connection 3| between the container and the cylinder 2| -at. t he upper side-of the piston 20, for effecting operationpoi? the piston be utilized. Also. it willloe understood that the control heads .34 of someor all ,of the p imary c ntainers maybe. int conn t for m 1ta 'ous p ration- The connection 3| is further provided with leheck, valve means 35, constituted tocperm-it the flow offluidthroughihe. connection from the container to. the cylinder, 2| ,and, to preventthe flowof fluid fromthe cylindertowards the container, for the. purpose, described hereinafter.

In order to, enablefluid under pressure. in the manifold, which hasbeen released-from one of the, primar containers ID, to. efiect release of fluid from the balance of the containers inth-e ystem,; means, are -.provided for conducting fluid fromthe ,rnanifoldtothecylinder ;2|. Such means, as illustrated herein, may compris a .cone nection. 40 between theconduit |8 .and,the.;upper end of the cylindenlata point! 1 above thepiston '20. It will be @understood that, alternately, the connection 40 could extend from the-.ipipe-ll .to thec linder.

The connection ,40; is provided withcheck valve meansJALcOnstituted to permit the. flow Of fluid fnom,the conduit IBuand/ZQrHthe-pipe. l9 to the cylinder, 2 and to preventtheflow 10f. fluid in the reverse direction.

By utilizing check valve, ineansland 4 I. in the foregoing -described manner, the ,check valve ,meanscd is, closedswhen fluid is ,admittedr .tothe cylinder. 2 hb way .ofthe eonnection3 I ,{the pilot valve .means .32, and, the cheek. valve. means :35, thereby. enabling .a. piston..operatingpressure to be established in the cylinder in a minimum;per of time. and :preve t nath oss-. f -spressure by, flow of. the fluid into. the conduit. l8 and/orthe pipe 9. .When fluid, is ladmittfid to the cylinder 2| by .way of th connectionAlLand the che valve :me n I thech c va ve mea s 35 ,is, closed, therebyenabling a. piston operating pressure 130.;be established in the cylinder, and preventingloss offluidbyway of a connection 3|, in the event that. a primaryv cylinder is removed or. is. impaired byeun-fire or is otherwise rendered defective.

Thev fluid medium, release control means I2 of the,secondarycontainers7 I differ, from the conrcl m s lzof them im y c nta erslm i t a he i nee or Lconne tiro 3 l p l valve means 32, .a;control,. head 34, .anda. check valve means 35. The control means I 2 for the 4 secondary containers H, however, are provided with a connection between the conduit l 8 and the cylinder 2|, to provide for operation of the piston 20 by fluid under pressure in the manifold. If desired, though not essential, check valve means may be provided in the connection 4|], to admit: fluid to the cylinder 2| from theypipe I9, to thereby trap the fluidin the cylinder and cause the piston to be retained in main valve opening position for a period of time to insure complete discharge of the container.

In operation, the fluid Of all of the containers tnol head 34 to unseat the pilot valve 32 of the primary cylinder H3 at the extreme left in the :bank, fluid from the container flows through the connection 3| and into the cylinder 2|, causing the piston 2!! to be actuated to effect unseating of the main valve member M. The fluid in the cylinder is prevented from flowing to the manifold by the check valve means 4|. When the main .valve .member is unseated, fluid passes through the main valve opening, and the check valveldisc. 30 is moved upwardly and away from the opening I5, whereby the fluid flows into the manifold byway of the conduit I8. I

Thus, whenthe contents, ofthe primary'cylinder are discharged into. the manifold, a portion of the fluid is'directed to the valve actuating cylinders 2| of the other primary cylinder and each ofthe secondary cylinders by way of the conduits l3, theconnections ll] and the check valve means 4|. iThe fluid in the cylinders effects operation of the pistons, whereby the Valve members areunseated, and the contents of the containersare discharged into the manifold.

It will ,be noted that upon discharge of each of thecontainers, a portion of the. fluid is adapted to be directed from thecontainer to its cylinder 2| tdsupplement the pressure fluid initially supplied by way of a pilot valve or the manifold, thus insuring fullstroke operation of the piston-and completeunseating of the mainvalve member I4, whereby rapid discharge of the containers is efiected. 7

From the foregoing description it will be. seen that the present. invention provides an improved system, for discharging .a, fire,v extinguishing medium or the like. The system is simple in construction and can be, readily assembled .by reason of the fact that. there are a minimum number of connections. The invention furtherprovidesaone pipe system which is positive in operation and has a high discharge rate, thereby rendering it particularly adapted for fire extinguishing purposes and the like.

-As various changes may .be ,made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts, herein, without departing from thespirit and-scope of theinvention and Without sacrificingany-of its advantages, it is to be understood .thatall matterherein is to be interpreted as illustrative and. not, in any limiting sense.

Itis also to be .understood that the following claims are intended to cover all the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein described, and-allstatements of the scope of the invention which, as :a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

I- claim:

-1. In combination, a plurality of -receptaclesj:for containing a fluid-under pressure, meansfQr each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to said operating means of at least one of said receptacles, a fluid flow connection between at least another of said receptacles and its operating means, and a valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means.

2. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, means for preventing the flow of fluid from said delivery means towards each of said retaining means, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said operating means, a fluid flow connection between at least one of said receptacles and its operating means, and a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means.

' 3. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said operating means, means in each of said last conducting means forpreventing the flow of fluid from said operating means to said delivery means, a fluid flow connection between at least one of said receptacles and its operating means, and a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means. 7

4. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said operating means, a fluid flow connection between at least one of said receptacles and its operating means, a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means, and means in said connection for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means towards said receptacle.

5. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, means operatively associated with said delivery means and each of said retaining means for substantially preventing the flow of fluid from said delivery means through the retaining means of receptacles which have been removed or emptied at a time when the retaining means of such receptacles have been operated to normally release the fluid therefrom, fluid actuated operating 6. means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said operating means, means in each of said last conducting means for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means to said delivery means, a fluid flow connection between at least one of said receptacles and its operating means, and a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means.

6. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, fluidactuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said 5 operating means, means in each of said last conducting means for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means to said delivery means, a fluid flow connection between at least one of said receptacles and its operating means, a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of fluid from said receptacle to its operating means, and means in said connection for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means towards said receptacle.

7. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, means operatively associated with said delivery means and each of said retaining means for substantially preventing the flow of fluid from said delivery means through the retaining means of receptacles which have been removed or emptied at a time when the retaining means of such receptacles have been operated to normally release the fluid therefrom, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to each of said operating means, a fluid flow connection betweenat least one of said receptacles and its operating means, a pilot valve in said connection for controlling the flow of said fluid from said receptacle to its operating means, and means in said connection for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means towards said receptacle.

8. In combination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a fluid under pressure, means for each of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein and operable to release the fluid therefrom, delivery means into which the fluid may be delivered from all of said receptacles, means operatively associated with said delivery means and each of said retaining means for substantially preventing the flow of fluid from said delivery means through the retaining means of receptacles which have been removed or emptied at a time when the retaining means of such receptacles have been operated to normally release the fluid therefrom, fluid actuated operating means for said retaining means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to said operating means of at least one of said receptacles, means in said last conducting means for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means to said delivery means, a fluid flow connection between at least another of said receptacles and its operating means, a

pilotvalve in said connection; for. controlling the flow 'of fluid from said: receptacle to its operating means, and meansintsaid connection for preventing the flow -of fluid from said operating means: towards-saidreceptacle.

- 9 In combinatiomzaplurality of receptacles for containing aIfluid under pressure; a main valve, including a main valve member and a main valve port, foreach of said receptacles for normally retaining the fluid therein: andoperable'to release the fluid therefrom; 'a manifold into which the fluid mayube 'delivered from all of said receptacles; means'for conducting the fluid from each of'saidmain valves to said manifold; a check valve 'm'each of said conducting means for substantially preventing the flow of fluid from said manifold through said main valve ports of receptacles which have been-removed or emptied at a time the main valves of such receptacles have to'operate to normally release the fluid therefrom; fluid actuated operating means for each of said main valves, including a cylinder, a piston and a'pistonrod adapted to unseat said mainvalve member;-means-for conducting fluid from said manifold to each of-said cylinders; a check valve in=each .of said last conducting means for preventing theflow of fluid from said cylinders to said manifold; a fluidflow connection between at least one of saidreceptacles and its cylinder; a pilot valve in i said connection for controlling theflowof fluid from said receptacle to its cylinder; and a check'valve in said'connection for preventing'the flow of fluid from said cylinder towards said: receptacle.

IOJ'I-ncombination, a plurality of receptacles for containing a'fluid under pressure, valve means for each of said'receptacles for normally retaining the: fluidtherein andoperable to release the fluid therefrompdelivery means into which the fluid .may be delivered from all of said receptacles,

fluidactuated operating means for said 'valve means of each receptacle, means for conducting fluid from said delivery means to said operating means, and check valve means in said conducting means for preventing the flow of fluid from said operating means to said delivery means.

11. In combination, a primary receptacle for containing -a fluid under pressure, a secondary receptacle containing a fluid under pressure, delivery means into which the fluid from said primary and said secondary receptacle may be delivered when it is released, primary fluid retaining means for normally. retaining the fluid in said primary receptacle and operable to release the fluid therefrom, primary fluid actuated operating means for. said primary retaining means to release theifluidretained thereby, a direct fluid flow connection between said primary operating means and said primary receptacle, primary pilot valve means for said fluid flow connection, actuating means for said primary pilot valve means, fluid actuated fluid release control means including retaining means for said secondary receptacle for normally retaining thefluid in said secondary receptacleand operable to release the fluid therefrom, and a fluid flowconnection between said delivery means and said fluid actuated fluid release control means for said secondary receptacle.

DANIEL MAPES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,264,390 Hamilton Apr. 30, 191-8 2,352,627 Grant July 4, 1944 2,412,613 Grant Dec. 17, 1946 

